I have a funnel event A -> purchase. I want to see this conversion only on mobile I just discovered that there are 2 types of filtering : inline filtering and global filtering. How can I know which one is more adapted ?
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To filter your funnel event A -> Purchase for mobile users only, you need to understand the difference between inline filtering and global filtering to choose the most appropriate option.
Inline Filtering vs. Global Filtering
Inline Filtering (Pre-Query): - Applied to specific steps in your funnel - Performed before the funnel calculation - Only events that meet the filter criteria are considered for that step - Affects which events qualify for conversion at each stepGlobal Filtering (Post-Query): - Applied to the entire funnel report after calculations - Filters out entire conversion paths that don't meet criteria - Based on property attribution you select (like "First Step Defined") - Affects which users/conversions appear in the final results
Which one should you use?
For your A -> Purchase funnel on mobile, the choice depends on what exactly you want to measure: 1. Use inline filtering if you want to ensure both events (A and Purchase) happen on mobile devices. This would be appropriate if you want to track the complete mobile journey.2. Use global filtering if you want to filter based on whether the user started on mobile. This would show you conversions where the initial event was on mobile, regardless of where the purchase happened.According to the documentation:
"Inline filters are performed pre-query. Thus, these filters will impact your funnel's conversion by removing events that don't qualify from consideration of being included in a funnel calculation." Funnels Advanced ConceptsFor most mobile-specific analysis, inline filtering on both steps with "Platform = Mobile" would be the recommended approach as it ensures you're tracking the complete mobile journey.If you need more specific guidance, Mixpanel's documentation provides detailed examples of both filtering types in the Filters section of their Funnels Advanced Concepts guide.
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You're right to question this, and I apologize for not being precise enough in my previous explanation. Let me clarify the difference between inline filtering and global filtering based on the documentation:
Correct Difference Between Inline and Global Filtering
Inline Filtering (Pre-Query): - Applied before the funnel calculation runs - Filters specific events at individual steps - Only events that meet the filter criteria are considered for that specific step - Can be applied to any or all steps in your funnelGlobal Filtering (Post-Query): - Applied after the funnel calculation is complete - Filters entire user journeys based on property attribution - The entire conversion path is either included or excluded based on the filter - Applied to the whole report rather than individual stepsFrom the documentation: > "Inline filters allow you to apply event or user property filters to each step of your funnel... Inline filters are performed pre-query. Thus, these filters will impact your funnel's conversion by removing events that don't qualify from consideration of being included in a funnel calculation." Funnels Advanced Concepts> "Global filters apply your selected filters to the entire report after the Funnels query has been run. Since Funnels will calculate conversions first and then apply your global filters, entire conversions that do not meet the filter requirements will be excluded from the report's results." Funnels Advanced ConceptsSo for your mobile funnel, if you want to ensure both event A and Purchase happen on mobile, you should use inline filtering on both steps. If you want to filter based on a property across the entire funnel journey, use global filtering.
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Based on your specific scenario of wanting to filter "event A mobile -> purchase" without caring if the purchase event happens on mobile, let me explain the advantages and disadvantages of both filtering approaches.
Inline Filtering on Event A
Advantages: - Precisely targets only mobile instances of event A - Ensures users enter the funnel only through mobile devices - Gives you a clearer picture of mobile-initiated journeys - Pre-query filtering means the calculation only includes relevant events from the startDisadvantages: - If a user performs event A on both mobile and desktop, only their mobile events will be considered as funnel entries - May exclude some user journeys where event A happened on desktop but still led to purchase
Global Filtering with Mobile
Advantages: - Applied after the funnel calculation, so it doesn't affect which events qualify for conversion - Filters entire user journeys based on your property attribution setting - Simpler to implement as it's a single filter for the whole reportDisadvantages: - Less precise control over which specific steps must be on mobile - Results depend heavily on your property attribution setting (First Step Defined, Last Step Defined) - May include or exclude users based on property values from steps you don't care aboutAccording to the documentation: > "Inline filters are performed pre-query. Thus, these filters will impact your funnel's conversion by removing events that don't qualify from consideration of being included in a funnel calculation." Funnels Advanced Concepts> "Global filters apply your selected filters to the entire report after the Funnels query has been run... The filter value is determined based on the property attribution selected." Funnels Advanced ConceptsFor your specific case where you only care that event A happens on mobile, inline filtering on just event A would be more appropriate as it gives you precise control over the entry condition without restricting the purchase event.
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